The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, to lead a coordinated effort with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), FCT chapter, and other women and child rights groups to closely monitor the prosecution of former Senator Elisha Abbo, who faces allegations of raping a 13-year-old girl.
HURIWA praised the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, for pursuing the case despite potential political pressures.
“How well this case is prosecuted will inevitably be a major talking point of his tenure as the chief law enforcement officer of Nigeria,” HURIWA said in a statement.
The civil rights group warned that law enforcement officers are often exposed to temptations to compromise criminal charges against politically powerful individuals. HURIWA urged the minister to demonstrate leadership by coordinating a monitoring team of women and children’s rights defenders to ensure the judicial process is fair and transparent.
“The alleged vulnerable victim must by all legally feasible means be protected from physical harm from the accused, a prominent politician from Adamawa State,” the group said.
HURIWA also recommended the creation of a dedicated department within the Ministry of Women Affairs to oversee court cases involving sexual violations of children. The group criticized the ministry for not showing enough leadership in defending the rights of vulnerable schoolchildren.
“The way to know a functional democracy is how well the political system defends and protects the weak and vulnerable members of society,” HURIWA stated.
The Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, is handling the case after multiple criminal charges were filed against Abbo on October 30, 2025. The charges include rape, sexual molestation, and threats against a minor. The legal action followed a police investigation which the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) described as having sufficient evidence “to test the case in court.”
The victim, a JSS3 student, alleged she was lured to Abbo’s residence in Katampe Extension on June 29, 2025, by a family acquaintance. She claims Abbo forcefully undressed and molested her despite her repeated protests, threatened her life, and made threats against her family if she disclosed the incident.
“He was on me and I was trying to push him, but he kept telling me that if I removed his hand, he would go deeper and hurt me,” the victim told investigators.
Abbo has denied the allegations, claiming that the minor and her companion visited his house briefly and that he sent money to the child for ice cream and her birthday celebration. He also alleged attempts by the child’s mother to extort ₦5 million from him.
Police seized Abbo’s phone and conducted forensic examinations. While adult nude images were found on his device, none belonged to the minor. Phones belonging to the minor’s companion and her mother also showed no evidence supporting the rape allegations.
HURIWA emphasized that the rights of the victim must be safeguarded, and that the judicial process must be transparent and rigorous.
“Whilst we are not reaching any conclusion regarding the innocence or guilt of the accused, our focus is on making sure the rights of this vulnerable child are adequately protected through an effective prosecutorial mechanism,” HURIWA stated.
The human rights group is awaiting confirmation from the Ministry of Women Affairs that a monitoring team of women and child rights advocates will be established to track the trial to its conclusion.